U.S. patent number 7,961,868 [Application Number 12/547,601] was granted by the patent office on 2011-06-14 for systems and methods for caller-controlled tune notification of a call.
This patent grant is currently assigned to AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.. Invention is credited to Hong Thi Nguyen, Linda Ann Roberts, Edward Michael Silver.
United States Patent |
7,961,868 |
Silver , et al. |
June 14, 2011 |
Systems and methods for caller-controlled tune notification of a
call
Abstract
A system and method for a caller to control a tune notification
for a telephone call includes a service switching point and a
service control point. The service switching point is operable to
receive a tune notification service access code and a called
directory number, and to issue a query in response to receiving the
service access code. The service control point is operable to
receive the query and issue a response including a tune
notification signal to the service switching point. Upon receiving
the response from the service control point, the service switching
point processes the call so that the tune notification signal
causes the tune notification to be applied to a called telephone
line associated with the called directory number.
Inventors: |
Silver; Edward Michael
(Atlanta, GA), Roberts; Linda Ann (Decatur, GA), Nguyen;
Hong Thi (Atlanta, GA) |
Assignee: |
AT&T Intellectual Property I,
L.P. (Atlanta, GA)
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Family
ID: |
37886135 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/547,601 |
Filed: |
August 26, 2009 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20090316875 A1 |
Dec 24, 2009 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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11717278 |
Mar 13, 2007 |
7599482 |
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10279352 |
Mar 27, 2007 |
7197135 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
379/373.02;
379/207.16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M
3/02 (20130101); H04M 3/42 (20130101); H04M
19/04 (20130101); H04M 2207/12 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04M
3/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;379/207.16,252,253,372,373,374,375 ;455/567 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
Softswitch Model Drives New Age of Customized Communication, A
CommWorks Position Paper,
www.softswitch.org/educational/reference.asp, in existence at least
as of Sep. 9, 2002. cited by other .
International Softswitch Consortium Reference Architecture,
Softswitch Consortium, v. 1.2, Jun. 2002. cited by other .
ISC Reference Architecture--Functional Plans, Softswitch
Consortium, v. 1.0, Jan. 2002. cited by other .
U.S. Appl. No. 10/201,043, filed Jul. 23, 2002, entitled "Tune
Master Telephone", Inventors: Edward Silver, Linda Roberts and Hong
Thi Nguyen. cited by other .
U.S. Appl. No. 10/135,668, filed Apr. 30, 2002, entitled "System
and Method for Caller Control of a Distinctive Ring", Inventors:
Hong Thi Nguyen, Linda Roberts and Edward Silver. cited by other
.
U.S. Official Action dated Dec. 15, 2004 n connection with U.S.
Appl. No. 10/201,043. cited by other .
U.S. Official Action dated Sep. 9, 2004 in connection with U.S.
Appl. No. 10/135,668. cited by other .
U.S. Official Action dated Jun. 14, 2005 in connection with U.S.
Appl. No. 10/201,043 (11 pages). cited by other .
Copending U.S. Appl. No. 10/279,352, filed Oct. 24, 2002, entitled
"Systems and Methods for Caller-Controlled Tune Notification of a
Call" with Official Filing Receipt dated Nov. 20, 2002. cited by
other.
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Primary Examiner: Briney, III; Walter F
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Cantor Colburn LLP
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 11/717,278 filed Mar. 13, 2007, the contents of which are
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/279,352 filed
Oct. 24, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,197,135, the contents of which
are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, which
relates to patent applications U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10,135,668 filed Apr. 30, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,106,846, and
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/201,043, now U.S. Pat. No.
7,356,132, each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A system for caller control of a tune notification comprising: a
first network element operable to receive a service access code for
a tune notification service and a called directory number, and
issue a query in response to receiving the service access code; and
a second network element in communication with the first network
element over a communication path the second network element
operable to provide a list of tune categories to a device
associated with the calling party, after providing the list of tune
categories to the device associated with the calling party, receive
a selection of one of the tune categories from the list of tune
categories, after receiving the selection from the list of tune
categories, provide a list of tunes to the device associated with
the calling party, after providing the list of tunes to the device,
receive a selection of one of the tunes from the list of tunes, and
wherein upon receiving the selection of one of the tunes from the
second network element, the first network element processes the
call to causes the tune notification to be applied to a called
telephone line associated with the called directory number.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein upon receiving the query from the
first network element the second network element provides a list of
tunes from which the calling party can select a desired tune to be
used as notification of the call.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first network element is
further operable to receive an authorization code and include the
authorization code in the query; and wherein the second network
element is further operable to determine whether the authorization
code is valid and provide a tune notification signal only upon
determining that the authorization code is valid.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the authorization code comprises
a unique code associated with the called directory number.
5. The system of claim 3, wherein the authorization code comprises
a unique code associated with the calling party.
6. The system of claim 1, the first network element comprising a
first service switching point in communication with a service
control point over a first communication path, further comprising a
second service switching point serving the called directory number
and in communication with the first service switching point over a
second communication path, and wherein the first service switching
point provides the second service switching point the tune
notification signal received from the second network element.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the tune notification service
comprises a plurality of tunes accessible to tune notification
service subscribers for storing on a call terminating device.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein a call terminating device
associated with the called directory number is operable to play the
tune notification upon receiving the tune notification signal.
9. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a media server in a
packet-based network; and a media gateway for converting data into
and out of packets for transmission between a circuit-switched
network and the packet-based network.
10. A method for processing a call placed by a calling party to a
called telephone line in a network, the network comprising a first
network element, a second network element and a third network
element, the third network element in communication with the first
and second network elements, the method comprising: receiving at
the first network element a tune notification service access code
and a called directory number; sending a query from the first
network element to the third network element after receiving the
service access code; providing a list of tune categories to a
device; after providing the list of tune categories, receiving a
selection of one of the tune categories from the list of tune
categories; after receiving the selection from the list of tune
categories, providing a list of tunes; after providing the list of
tunes, receiving a selection of one of the tunes from the list to
tunes; sending the selection of one of the tunes to the first
network element; and applying the tune to the called telephone
line.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: receiving at the
first network element an authorization code; including the
authorization code in the query; determining at the third network
element whether the authorization code is valid or invalid; and
providing the tune when the authorization code is valid.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising associating the
called directory number with the authorization code.
13. The method of claim 11, further comprising associating the
calling party directory number with the authorization code.
14. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing a list of
tunes to the calling party after determining that the authorization
code is valid; and selecting a desired tune from the list of tunes
to be used as notification of the call.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein sending the query from the
first network element to the third network element after receiving
the service access code is independent of a calling telephone line
from which the service access code is received.
16. The method of claim 10, wherein the second network element
serves the called telephone line, the method further comprising
sending from the first network element to the second network
element the tune notification signal received from the third
network element.
17. The method of claim 10 further comprising providing a plurality
of tunes accessible to tune notification service subscribers for
storing on a call terminating device.
18. The method of claim 10, wherein providing the tune associated
with the tune selection to the called telephone line is independent
of services associated with the called telephone line.
19. A method for a caller to control a tune notification signal
applied to a called telephone line, the method comprising:
receiving a tune notification service access code and a called
directory number; providing a list of tune categories to a device
associated with the caller; after providing the list of tune
categories, receiving a selection of one of the tune categories
from the list of tune categories; after providing the list of tune
categories, providing a list of tunes; after providing the list of
tunes, receiving a selection of one of the tunes; and providing a
tune notification signal associated with the tune notification
selection to the called telephone line.
20. The method of claim 19 further comprising: receiving an
authorization code input by the caller; determining whether the
authorization code is a valid code or an invalid code; providing
the tune notification signal to the called telephone line in
response to the service access code if the authorization code is a
valid code; and providing a normal ring pattern signal to the
called telephone line if the authorization code is an invalid code.
Description
NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT PROTECTION
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document and its
attachments contain material, which is subject to copyright
protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile
reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent
disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent
files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights
whatsoever.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of
telecommunications, and more particularly, to systems and methods
for caller-controlled tune notification of a call.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
When placing a call to a called party, a caller may often desire to
provide an indication of his or her identity to the called party,
or to attract the attention of the called party so that the called
party is more likely to answer the telephone. A limitation of using
conventional rings to identify a caller is that there is a limited
number of ring tones and sequences available. In contrast, the
number of musical tunes that could be used to associate an incoming
call with a particular caller is almost limitless. A tune selected
from a wide range of tunes could be used to associate a call with a
calling party. As such, it would be advantageous to utilize tunes
to identify a calling party. Additionally, particular types of
tunes can be associated with particular callers. For example, the
tune of a love song could be associated with a call receiver's
spouse, a classical tune with one's parents, a dark tune with one's
boss, and so on.
In conventional telephone network systems, control of notification
rings, including musical tunes, is restricted to call recipients.
Such systems do not allow a caller to control the tune played as
notification of an incoming call from the caller.
Tune notification controlled by a caller would allow a caller to
identify the caller to a call recipient using a unique tune. In
addition, call notification with tunes controlled by a caller would
allow a caller to select a tune that corresponds with an emotion
likely to be evoked by the call content. For example, a caller
could associate a happy tune with a happy message call, a serious
tune with a business call, a playful or light-hearted tune with a
surprise message call, and so on.
Thus, there is a need for systems and methods for caller-controlled
tune notification of a call.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In an embodiment of the present invention, a system for caller
control of a tune notification comprises a service switching point
(SSP) operable to receive a service access code (SAC) for a tune
notification service and a called directory number (DN) input by a
calling party placing a call and to issue a query in response to
receiving the service access code. The system includes a service
control point (SCP) in communication with the service switching
point over a communication path and is operable to receive the
query and issue a response including a tune notification signal to
the service switching point. Upon receiving the response from the
service control point, the service switching point processes the
call so that the tune notification signal causes the tune
notification to be applied to a called telephone line associated
with the called directory number. In one embodiment, the system
comprises, upon receiving the query from the service switching
point, the service control point providing a list of tunes from
which the calling party can select a desired tune to be used as
notification of the call. Embodiments of the present invention can
be implemented in a circuit-based telephone network or a
packet-based telephone network.
In another embodiment, the service switching point is operable to
receive an authorization code and include the authorization code in
the query, and the service control point is further operable to
determine whether the authorization code is valid and provide the
tune notification signal only upon determining that the
authorization code is valid. In embodiments, the authorization code
comprises a unique code associated with the called directory
number. In other embodiments, the authorization code comprises a
unique code associated with the calling party. Accordingly,
tracking of tune notification service usage can be accomplished for
purposes of billing.
A system of the present invention includes embodiments wherein the
service switching point is operable to issue the query independent
of a calling telephone line from which the service access is
received. As a result, a caller can access the tune notification
service from any call originating device in the same network or a
different network as the called line directory number. In
embodiments, the tune notification signal causes the tune
notification to be applied to the called telephone line independent
of services associated with the called telephone line.
A tune notification service of the present invention may include a
plurality of tunes accessible to tune notification service
subscribers for storing on a call terminating device. In a
preferred embodiment, a call terminating device associated with the
called directory number is operable to play the tune notification
upon receiving the tune notification signal. In embodiments, the
tune notification signal triggers playing a tune stored in a call
terminating device. In alternative embodiments, the tune
notification signal comprises the tune notification.
Embodiments of the present invention include methods of processing
a call placed by a calling party to a called telephone line in a
telephone network. The telephone network comprises a service
switching point, in communication with a service control point. One
such method comprises the steps of receiving at the service
switching point a tune notification service access code and a
called directory number, the call directory number associated with
the called telephone line; and sending a query from the first
service switching point to the service control point after
receiving the service access code. The method further comprises
generating a response, including a tune notification signal, to the
query at the service control point; sending the response to the
switching point; processing the call at the service switching point
after receiving the tune notification signal; and applying the tune
notification signal to the called telephone line.
In embodiments, a method of the present invention further comprises
the steps of receiving at the service switching point an
authorization code; including the authorization code in the query;
determining at the service control point whether the authorization
code is valid or invalid; and providing the tune notification
signal if the authorization code is valid. The authorization code
can be associated with the called directory number and/the calling
party directory number.
Features of a caller-controlled tune notification of a call of the
present invention may be accomplished singularly, or in
combination, in one or more of the embodiments of the present
invention. As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the
art, the present invention has wide utility in a number of
applications as illustrated by the variety of features and
advantages discussed below.
Systems and methods for a caller-controlled tune notification of a
call of the present invention provide numerous advantages over
prior messaging systems. For example, embodiments of the present
invention advantageously provide for control of a tune notification
on a called line by a caller.
Another advantage is that the present invention provides a large
number of musical tunes that a particular caller can used to
associate an incoming call with the caller. Additionally, the
present invention provides the benefit of associating particular
types of tunes with particular callers.
Another advantage is that the present invention allows a caller to
control tune notification so as to select a tune that corresponds
with an emotion likely to be evoked by the call message.
Another advantage is that the present invention provides for use of
a tune notification service independent of other services
associated with a called line number.
Still another advantage is that the present invention allows a tune
notification service subscriber to control application of tune
notifications to a called line number by authorization codes.
As will be realized by those of skill in the art, many different
embodiments of systems and methods a caller-controlled tune
notification of a call according to the present invention are
possible. Additional uses, objects, advantages, and novel features
of the invention are set forth in the detailed description that
follows and will become more apparent to those skilled in the art
upon examination of the following or by practice of the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is block diagram of an exemplary telecommunications network
environment in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary telecommunications
network environment including a packet-based network in an
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is flow diagram illustrating a method of processing a call
placed by a calling party to a called telephone line in a telephone
network in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is flow diagram illustrating another method of processing a
call placed by a calling party to a called telephone line in a
telephone network in an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems and methods
for a caller to control tune notification of a call. In one
embodiment, when placing a call to a called directory number in a
telephone network, a caller accesses a tune notification service by
dialing a service access code. Accessing the tune notification
service and selecting a tune causes a signal associated with the
selected tune to be applied to a called telephone line associated
with the called directory number. The signal for the selected tune
in turn causes a terminating device connected to the telephone
line, such as a telephone, to play the selected tune as
notification of the call. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary
telecommunications network environment of one such embodiment of
the present invention.
Referring now to FIG. 1, an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) 10
comprises Service Switching Points (SSP) 20 and 30, a Signal
Transfer Point (STP) 40, a Service Control Point (SCP) 50, a
Service Management System (SMS) 60, a Service Node (SN) 70, and a
Central Office 90. The first SSP 20 and second SSP 30 are connected
by trunk circuits 80. The first SSP 20 is connected to the STP 40
by a first signaling link 81, and the second SSP 30 is connected to
the STP 40 by a second signaling link 82. Similarly, the STP 40 is
connected to the SCP 50 by a signaling link 83; the SCP 50 is
connected to the SMS 60 by a signaling link 84; and the SMS 60 is
connected to the SN 70 by a signaling link 85. The SN 70 is also
connected to the SSP 20 located in the Central Office 90 by a
signaling link 86.
A service switching point is defined as a PSTN switch (such as an
End Office) that can recognize intelligent network calls and route
and connect such calls under the direction of a service control
point (SCP). The first SSP 20 is operable to receive a tune
notification service access code and the called directory number
input by the calling party, and is further operable to issue a
query in response to receiving the service access code. The SCP 50
is operable to receive the query and issue a response to the first
SSP 20. The response includes a tune notification signal. Upon
receiving the response from the SCP 50, the first SSP 20 processes
the call so that the tune notification signal causes a selected
tune notification to be applied to a called telephone line
associated with the called directory number.
Communications in the AIN network 10 occur over the trunk circuits
80 and the signaling links 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, and 86. These
communications utilize the Signaling System 7 (SS7) communications
protocol and the AMN communications protocol. The trunk circuits 80
are the voice path trunks, or voice channels, over which voice and
data communications between a calling party and called party are
established when calls are connected. The signaling links 81, 82,
83, 84, 85, and 86 are bi-directional channels employing the SS7
protocol. Typically, the signaling links 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, and 86
transmit SS7 messages at a 56 or 64 kilobit per second (kbps) rate.
This is referred to as out-of-band signaling because the signaling
does not take place over the voice channels in the trunk circuits
80.
The first SSP 20 serves a dedicated group of telephone lines.
Telecommunication customers subscribe to one or more of these
telephone lines. The telephone lines connect the first SSP 20 to
terminating devices, such as telephones or electronic communication
devices (for example, device 34). As shown in FIG. 1, a telephone
line 21 connects the first SSP 20 to a telephone 22. Likewise, the
second SSP 30 also serves a dedicated group of telephone lines,
including telephone line 31, which connects the second SSP 30 to a
telephone 32, and telephone line 33, which connects the second SSP
30 to an electronic communication device 34. The electronic
communication device 34 can be a facsimile machine, computer modem,
or other electronic communication devices designed to transmit
electronic communication data over a voice channel.
Each of the telephone lines 21, 31, and 33 is assigned a directory
number. A directory number is a number that is dialed or input by
an originating device at a calling telephone line to reach a
terminating device on a called telephone line associated with the
directory number. Thus, a directory number is typically input into
a telephone or electronic communication device to establish a voice
channel to another telephone or electronic communication device
attached to the network.
The first SSP 20 and the second SSP 30 are connected to the STP 40
via the signaling links 81 and 82, respectively. The STP 40 is a
multi-port, high speed packet switch that that converts dialed
digits to data messages and routes each incoming message to an
outgoing signaling link based on routing information contained in
the SS7 message.
The STP 40 is connected to the SCP 50 via the signaling link 83.
The SCP 50 contains programmable service-independent capabilities
(or service logic) that are under control of telephone service
providers. A service control point comprises a database in an AIN
network that supplies the translation and routing data needed to
deliver advanced network services. The SCP 50 comprises a database
51 that includes subscription information, authorization codes,
passwords, notification tunes, etc. Interactions related to the
tine notification service occur at the SCP.
The SCP 50 is connected to the SMS 60 via the signaling link 84.
The SMS 60 interfaces with the central offices of the telephone
service providers and provides a platform for remotely provisioning
the SCP 50 to provide advanced call-processing capability to a
subscriber. Thus, when a customer subscribes to certain AIN
services, or modifies a group of AIN services, the telephone
service provider provides this information to the SCP 50 via the
SMS 60.
The SMS 60 is connected to the SN 70 via the signaling link 85. The
SN 70 includes voice and dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signal
recognition devices and voice synthesis devices. The SN 70 is
connected to the telecommunications network Central Office (CO) 90
and the SSP 30 via the signaling link 85. The SN 70 is typically
employed in an AIN service to provide voice channel connection to a
call or transfer data to a subscriber over a switched connection
during or after a call.
A caller may place a call to a directory number served by the same
SSP from which the call is placed, or may place a call to a
directory number served by a different SSP from which the call is
placed. Upon completion of the call, the network system 10 rings
the called line by providing a ring signal, or a tune notification
signal, to the called telephone line, for example, the line 31,
associated with the called directory number. Receipt of the tune
notification signal causes a terminating device connected to the
called line, for example, telephone 32, to ring.
As shown in FIG. 1, in one aspect, the present invention may be
implemented in an AIN network 10. From telephone 22, the calling
party dials a service access code (SAC) for the tune notification
service, followed by the calling line directory number that the
calling party wishes to call. The service access code comprises the
asterisk key followed by a number, referred to as a "star code"
(for example, *88). An example of a service access code is
"*88-404-555-1212." When the calling party dials the service access
code and directory number (DN), an initial address message (IAM) is
created. An initial address message comprises a message that seizes
an outgoing circuit and transmits address and other information
relating to the routing and handling of a call. In the network 10
in FIG. 1, the initial address message created by the calling party
includes calling party identification information, the calling line
directory number, and the service access code. Dialing the service
access code triggers the service switching point 20 to send the
IAM, including the service access code signal, through the signal
transfer point 40 to the service control point 50.
Embodiments of the present invention comprise authorization of a
calling party to send a unique tune to a particular calling line
directory number. Authorization prevents unwanted callers from
notifying a call receiver with a tune. Authorization to send tune
notification calls to a called party can be controlled by the
called party. In order to control receipt of tune notification
calls, a tune notification service subscriber could enable selected
other parties to send tune notification calls to the subscriber's
directory number. Subscribers can enable other parties'
authorization by revealing an authorization code those persons.
Alternatively, subscribers can enable other parties' authorization
by identifying to the telephone company providing the tune
notification service which parties are authorized to send tune
notifications to the subscriber. Authorization codes can be
associated with a calling party such that when the calling party
dials the service access code and a calling line directory number,
the initial address message thusly created also includes the
calling party's authorization code as part of the calling party
identification information.
Authorization occurs through validation of an association of the
calling party with an authorization code in a network database. In
the embodiment in FIG. 1, service switching point 20, in response
to receiving the service access code, issues a query to the service
control point 50 the service control point 50 collects the caller's
authorization code and/or password from the database 51 to
determine whether the caller has a valid authorization to send a
tune notification call to the directory number entered by the
caller. In response to the authorization query, the service control
point 50 issues a response to the service switching point 20.
Once authorization for the caller to send a tune notification call
to the directory number is validated, the service control point 50
activates a software application in response to send to the calling
party's telephone a list of available tunes from which a desired
tune can be selected. The list of tunes can be sent to the calling
party's telephone using an interactive voice program wherein the
list of tunes is automatically read by a text-to-speech
synthesizer. The caller selects a tune from the menu of tune
options read by the SCP speech synthesizer by entering the number
on the telephone keypad associated with the desired tune.
Alternatively, the SCP 50 sends a signal to the service node 70,
which activates a software application that then provides a list of
available tunes from which a desired tune can be selected to the
calling party's telephone. The service node 70 sends electronic
signals representing a list of tunes that are displayed on a screen
on the caller's telephone. The caller selects a tune by entering
the number on the telephone keypad associated with the desired
tune.
In the embodiment in FIG. 1, the network service node 70 comprises
a conventional phone-based menuing system. The service node 70
provides announcements, or recorded messages, related to the tune
notification service, to guide a caller through a menu of options
leading to selection of a tune. For example, the service node 70
provides the announcement "Select a category of tunes" to the
caller. Categories of tunes may include love songs, classical
music, patriotic tunes, and so on. When the caller selects a
desired category of tunes, the service node 70 then announces
"Select a tune." The caller continues through the menu of
announcements until a tune is selected.
After the caller selects a tune, the call, including the initial
address message and the signal for the selected tune notification,
is sent from the service control point 50 through the signal
transfer point 40 to the telecommunications network central office
(CO) 90. The central office 90 comprises a service node 70 that
serves as an application server providing tune notification service
functions between the SMS 60 and the calling line telephone. The
service node 70 includes a database comprising subscription
information, authorization codes, passwords, notification tunes,
etc.
The central office 90 then sends a tune notification signal to the
telephone 32 associated with the called party's directory number.
In the embodiment in FIG. 1, the called party telephone 32 is
enabled to play the tunes sent by a tune notification service. Such
an enabled telephone comprises memory containing the tunes to be
played as a call notification and a means for playing the tunes.
The means for playing tune notification tunes can be an audio
player driven by a software application. In response to receiving a
tune notification signal from the SCP 50 through the SSP 30, the
called party telephone activates the software application to play
tunes and to play the specific tune triggered by the tune
notification signal. The called party telephone 32 then plays the
tune stored in the telephone memory, alerting the called party of a
call and/or a particular type of call from the calling party.
In embodiments, a telecommunications company provides the tunes in
a database from which subscribing customers can access and record
selected tunes. Customers wishing to receive tune notification
calls can dial a number assigned to the tune database. The
telecommunications company provides a conventional phone-based
menuing system for customers to navigate through the database
options. After a customer dials the assigned tune notification
service database directory number, the customer follows the prompts
in the menu and selects the desired tunes. When the menu prompts
the customer to record a selected tune, the tune is recorded on the
customer's recording-enabled telephone. Thereafter, when the
customer receives a tune notification call, the customer's
telephone plays the appropriate tune from the tune recording on the
telephone. In other embodiments in which a customer's telephone is
connected to the telecommunications company with a digital
connection, the customer can download selected tunes from a
provided database in electronic format.
In other embodiments, an enabled telephone comprises a means for
playing tune notification tunes and a means for reading storage
media containing such tunes. In such an embodiment, storage media
containing the tunes to be played are obtained by the end user and
connected to the telephone for playing upon activation by a tune
notification signal. Both tunes recorded from a network database
and tunes in portable storage media, such as a compact disc, can be
provided by a telecommunications network to called party users on a
free or paid basis.
In the embodiment in FIG. 1, the network service switching point 30
utilizes frequency shift keying (FSK) to transmit the initial
address message and tune notification signal for the call to the
called party telephone 32. Frequency shift keying is a modulation
technique for transmitting data in digital format over an analog
carrier.
The tune notification signal, transmitted by a frequency shift
keying technique, triggers the called telephone 32 to play the
indicated tune. In this manner, a called party receives
notification of a call in which the notification is a tune selected
by the caller. By using frequency shift keying techniques, the tune
notification signal carries only a trigger to activate the enabled
telephone to play the selected tune, rather than sending the entire
tune file with the call signal.
In other embodiments, the service control point 50 comprises a
self-searching database architecture that recognizes authorization
for a particular person, rather than only authorization of a
telephone associated with a caller's directory number. Particular
parties authorized to use a tune notification service for a certain
calling line number are associated with the calling line number in
the database. Because the authorization code identifies the calling
party, the calling party can use the tune notification service from
any telephone in the network. In this manner, a network would allow
remote access for an individual having authorization for use of the
tune notification service.
A shown in FIG. 2, an embodiment of the present invention may be
implemented in a packet-based network. Packet-based network system
110 comprises Service Switching Points (SSP) 120 and 130, Media
Gateways 140 and 150, apacket-based network 170 (for example, the
Internet), Media Gateway Controller 160, Media Server 171,
Application Server 172, and a Central Office 190. The SSP 120 and
SSP 130 are connected by trunk circuits 180. The SSP 120 is
connected to the Media Gateway 140 by a trunk circuit 181, and the
SSP 130 is connected to the Media Gateway 150 by a trunk circuit
182. Similarly, Media Gateways 140 and 150 are connected to the
packet-based network 170 by the signaling links 183 and 184,
respectively. The packet-based network 170 is connected to the
Media Server 171, the Application Server 172, and the Media Gateway
Controller 160, as depicted in FIG. 2.
The SSP 120 is operable to receive a tune notification service
access code and the called directory number input by the calling
party, and is further operable to issue a query in response to
receiving the service access code. The Media Gateway Controller 160
serves as a service switching point in the packet-based network
170, and is operable to receive the query and trigger a response;
including a tune notification signal, to the SSP 120. Upon
receiving the response, the SSP 120 processes the call so that the
tune notification signal causes a selected tune notification to be
applied to the called telephone line associated with the called
directory number.
Communications in the packet-based network system 110 occur over
the trunk circuits 180, 181, and 182, and the signaling links 183
and 184. These communications utilize a packet-based protocol, such
as the IP protocol, and the AIN communications protocol. The trunk
circuits 180, 181, and 182 are the voice path trunks, or voice
channels, over which voice and data communications between a
calling party and called party are established when calls are
connected.
The SSP 120 serves a dedicated group of telephone lines.
Telecommunication customers subscribe to one or more of these
telephone lines. The telephone lines connect the SSP 120 to
terminating devices, such as telephones or electronic communication
devices. for example, device 134. As shown in FIG. 2, a telephone
line 121 connects the SSP 120 to a telephone 122. Likewise, the SSP
130 also serves a dedicated group of telephone lines, including
telephone line 131, which connects the SSP 130 to a telephone 132,
and telephone line 133, which connects the SSP 130 to an electronic
communication device 134. The electronic communication device 134
can be a facsimile machine, computer modem, or other electronic
communication devices designed to transmit electronic communication
data over a voice channel. Each of the telephone lines 121, 131,
and 133 is assigned a directory number.
The SSP 120 and the SSP 130 are connected to the Media Gateways 140
and 150, respectively. A gateway is a node, or point of connection,
providing an interface between two communications networks. The
calling party/packet-based network Media Gateway 140 packetizes
data into packets and delivers the packets to the packet-based
network 170. The packet-based network 170 is connected to a
telecommunications network central office 190 through a separate
Media Gateway 150. The packet-based network/called party Media
Gateway L50 converts the packetized data from the packet-based
network 170 to signals compatible with the PSTN.
The Media Gateways 140 and 150 are connected to the packet-based
network 170 via the signaling links 183 and 184, respectively. In
the packet-based network 170, the Media Gateway Controller 160
manages signaling and control interfaces between the
circuit-switched (PSTN) network and the packet-switched (IP)
network. The Media Server 171 contains programmable
service-independent capabilities (or service logic) that are under
control of telephone service providers. The Media Server 171
provides tune notification service interactions, including
announcements to guide a caller through a tune selection process.
The Media Server 171 functions utilize a protocol compatible with
the packet-based network. The Application Server 172 operates in a
manner similar to a service control point and comprises a database
that includes subscription information, authorization codes,
passwords, notification tunes etc. Interactions related to the tune
notification service occur at the Media Server 171 and the
Application Server 172.
A caller may place a call to a directory number served by the same
SSP from which the call is placed, or may place a call to a
directory number served by a different SSP from which the call is
placed. Upon completion of the call, the network system 110 rings
the called line by providing a ring signal, or a tune notification
signal, to the called telephone line, for example, the line 131,
associated with the called directory number. Receipt of the tune
notification signal causes a terminating device connected to the
called line, for example, telephone 132, to ring.
Referring to the embodiment in FIG. 2, a calling party is assigned
an authorization code. The calling party dials a service access
code (SAC) for a tune notification service, followed by the
directory number of the called party. The access code can be a
"star code," that is, the asterisk key followed by a number. When
the service access code and directory number are dialed, the
initial address message (JAM) sent from the caller's telephone 122
includes the service access code and the caller's authorization
code, as well as the called directory number. Dialing the access
code triggers the SSIS 120 to route the initial address message,
including the service access code signal, through the Media Gateway
140 connected to the packet-based network 170. The calling
party/packet-based network Media Gateway 140 converts the initial
address message to a packet-based message. In particular, the
calling party/packet-based network Media Gateway 140 converts data
in the initial address message to a session initiation protocol
(SIP) to establish a telephony session with the packet-based
network 170 using the packet-based message. In addition, the SSP
120 sends a query requesting validation of an authorization code to
the Media Gateway Controller 160.
When the query is received by the packet-based network 170, the
Media Gateway Controller 160 triggers the Application Server 172 to
collect the caller's authorization code and/or password from a
database in the Application Server 172 to determine whether the
caller has a valid authorization to send a tune notification call
to the directory number entered by the caller. Once authorization
for the caller to send a tune notification call to the directory
number is validated, the Application Server 172 provides to the
caller a list of tunes from which a desired tune can be
selected.
The caller selects a tune from a list of tunes provided by the
Application Server 172 and displayed on a screen on the caller's
telephone 122. In other embodiments, a telephony session with a
packet-based network is initiated from a packet-based telephone
using a personal computer. In such embodiments, the list of tunes
provided by the packet-based network application server is
displayed on a personal computer monitor. A tune is then selected
by entering the number on the telephone keypad or computer keyboard
associated with the desired tune.
After the caller selects a tune, the call, including the initial
address message and the selected tune notification data, is sent by
the Media Gateway Controller 160 from the packet-based network to
the packet-based network/called party Media Gateway 150. The
packet-based network/called party Media Gateway 150 converts the
packet-based message into circuit-based signals compatible with the
PSTN and routes the circuit-based signals to the telecommunications
network central office 190. The central office 190 then sends the
initial address message and a signal for the selected tune
notification to the telephone 132 associated with the called
party's directory number. The called party telephone 132 then plays
the tune stored in the telephone memory alerting the called party
of a call and/or a particular type of call from the calling
party.
The called party telephone 132 is enabled to play the tunes sent by
a tune notification service. The enabled telephone comprises memory
containing the tunes to be played as a call notification and a
means for playing the tunes. The tune notification signal triggers
the called telephone to play the indicated tune. In this manner, a
called party receives notification of a call in which the
notification is a tune selected by the caller.
In the embodiment in FIG. 2, a telecommunications company provides
the tunes in a database in the packet-based network Application
Server 172. As part of a subscription to the tune notification
service, the called party dials up the tune database and downloads
the tunes to the tune-enabled telephone. In other embodiments, an
enabled telephone comprises a means for playing tune notification
tunes and a means for reading storage media containing such tunes.
In such an embodiment, storage media containing the tunes to be
played are obtained by the end user and connected to the telephone
for playing upon activation by a tune notification signal. Both
tunes downloaded from a network database and tunes in portable
storage media can be provided by a telecommunications network to
called party users on a free or paid basis.
In other embodiments, the present invention comprises an
asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)-based packet network. for example,
as utilized in a broadband integrated service digital network
(B-ISDN). ATM is a high bandwidth. low-delay, packet-like switching
and multiplexing technique in which cells (fixed-length data units)
are presented to a network on a "start-stop" (asynchronous)
basis.
In embodiments of the present invention, high-speed transmission
connections, such as broadband connections are utilized. In such
embodiments, the tunes to be played by a called party telephone are
carried with the tune notification call signal. Such a system does
not require storing the tunes to be played on called party
telephones.
A telecommunications company can offer embodiments of a tune
notification service of the present invention to customers on a
per-usage basis, or provide fee-based subscriptions having limited
or unlimited usage during a billing period. Alternatively, a tune
notification service of the present invention can be offered to
customers subscribing to a particular telephone service as at
service free to the customers, In addition, a tune notification
service of the present invention can be bundled with other services
offered to customers.
In embodiments of the present invention, a caller may access a tune
notification service of a first telecommunications company from a
telephone in a second company's network. In the second
telecommunications network, a caller would dial a directory number
assigned to the tune notification service. A directory number
assigned to a tune notification service may be a toll number or a
toll-free number. In alternative embodiments, the caller's initial
address message dialed from a second network is routed through a
service node in a central office of the first (receiving) network.
The service node provides a network-to-network interface so that
the service access code entered in a different network is
recognized and use of the tune notification service is possible
from a different network.
Embodiments of the present invention include methods for
caller-controlled tune notification of a call. In the embodiment
shown in FIG. 3, a method 200 shows processing a call placed by a
calling party to a called telephone line in a telephone network.
The network includes a telephone network comprising a service
switching point (SSP) and a service control point (SCP). The SCIP
is in communication with the SSP over a communication path. In the
method 200, a calling party dials a tune notification service
access code and a called line directory number that the calling
party wishes to call. The SSP receives the signal for the tune
notification service access code and called directory number (201).
The called directory number is associated with the called telephone
line. The SSP prompts the calling party to enter an authorization
code. The calling party then dials an authorization code, and the
SSP receives the authorization code (202).
After the SSP receives the authorization code (202), the SSP then
sends a query, including the authorization code, to the SCP (203).
The SCP then determines whether the authorization code is valid or
invalid (204). To determine validity of the authorization code, the
SCP searches a database comprising authorization codes associated
with calling party identification information. If the authorization
code for sending a tune notification to the called line directory
number is associated with the calling party identification
information, the SCP validates the called party authorization code.
The SCP then generates a response to the query. If the
authorization code is validated, the SCP provides a tune
notification signal in the response (206). The SCP determines that
the authorization code is invalid, the SCP provides a normal ring
pattern signal in the response (207). The SCP then sends the
response to the SSP (208). After receiving the tune notification
signal, the SSP processes the call (209). and the SSP applies the
tune notification signal to the called telephone line (210).
In embodiments of a method of the present invention. after
receiving the service access code, the SSP sends the query to the
SCP independent of a calling telephone line from which the service
access code is received. In this manner, a calling party can access
the tune notification service from ally telephone in the same
telephone network or in a different network. In other embodiments,
the SSP applies the tune notification signal to the called
telephone line independent of services associated with the called
telephone line.
In embodiments of a method of the present invention, the SCP
database comprises an association of the called directory number
with the authorization code. In other embodiments, the SCP database
comprises an association of the calling party directory number with
the authorization code. As such, when a calling party dials an
authorization code, the SCP runs an application that charges for
use of the tune notification service to the appropriate user.
In embodiments of a method, after the SCP determines that the
authorization code is valid, the SCP activates a software
application in response to send to the calling party's telephone a
list of available tunes from which a desired tune can be selected.
The list of tunes can be sent to the calling party's telephone
using an interactive voice program or with electronic signals
representing a list of tunes that are displayed on a screen on the
caller's telephone. The caller selects a tune by entering the
number on the telephone keypad associated with the desired tune in
the voice menu or on the display screen.
In embodiments, a method of the present invention includes a first
SSP and a second SSP, wherein the second SSP serves the called
telephone line. The first SSIP sends the tune notification signal
received from the SCP to the second SSP, so that the second SSP can
route the signal to the called line number.
In another embodiment of the present invention. a telephone company
provides a plurality of tunes accessible to tune notification
service subscribers for storing on a call terminating device. A
tune notification service subscriber dials up a database comprising
the plurality of tunes and downloads tunes to the subscribing
electronic communications device. As a result, when a SCP applies a
tune notification signal to the device, the device includes the
selected tune stored in its memory so that the device can play the
selected tune notification.
In an alternative embodiment of a method, the SCP comprises a media
server in a packet-based network. In such an embodiment, a media
gateway converts data into and out of packets for transmission
between a circuit-switched network and the packet-based
network.
In another embodiment, a method of the present invention for a
caller to control a tune notification signal applied to a called
telephone line includes a telephone network providing a plurality
of services. As shown in FIG. 4, in the method 300, a calling party
inputs a tune notification service access code (SAC) and a called
directory number (DN) by dialing the access code and directory
number on a telephone. The SAC and DN are sent to a SSP in the
telephone network. The SSP routes the SAC and DN to a SCP. The SCP
includes a database comprising directory numbers associated with
telephone lines (302). The SCP searches the database for a
telephone line associated with the dialed directory number.
If the SCP locates a telephone line associated with the dialed
directory number the SCP activates a software application in
response to send to the calling party's telephone a list of
available tunes from which a desired tune can be selected. The list
of tunes can be sent to the calling party's telephone using an
interactive voice program or with electronic signals representing a
list of tunes that are displayed on a screen on the caller's
telephone. The caller selects a tune by entering the number on the
telephone keypad associated with the desired tune in the voice menu
or on the display screen. The SCP then sends the selected tune
notification signal to the called telephone line in response to the
SAC and independent of services associated with the called
telephone line (303).
The method 300 further includes an authorization process. After
inputting a tune notification service access code and a called
directory number, the calling party inputs an authorization code.
The SSP receives the authorization code input by the caller (304).
After the SSP receives the authorization code, the SSP then sends a
query, including the authorization code, to the SCP. The SCP then
determines whether the authorization code is valid or invalid. To
determine validity of the authorization code, the SCP searches a
database comprising authorization codes associated with calling
party identification information. If the authorization code for
sending a tune notification to the called line directory number is
associated with the calling party identification information, the
SCP validates the called party authorization code. The SCP then
generates a response to the query. If the authorization code is
validated, the SCP provides a tune notification signal in the
response and independent of services associated with the called
directory number (306). If the SCP determines that the
authorization code is invalid, the SCP provides a normal ring
pattern signal in the response (307). The SCP then sends the
response to the SSP. After receiving the tune notification signal,
the SSP processes the call and the SSP applies the tune
notification signal to the called telephone line.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to
particular embodiments, it should be recognized that these
embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles of the
present invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will
appreciate that systems and methods for caller-controlled tune
notification of a call of the present invention may be constructed
and implemented in other ways and embodiments. Accordingly, the
description herein should not be read as limiting the present
invention, as other embodiments also fall within the scope of the
present invention.
* * * * *
References